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2017-2018 National Association of State Foresters Annual Report

HEALTHY TREES, HEALTHY LIVES

H E A LT H Y T R E E S , H E A LT H Y L I V E S2

TABLE OF CONTENTSLETTER FROM PRESIDENT GEORGE GEISSLER 3

LETTER FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JAY FARRELL 4

MEET OUR MEMBERS 5

NASF FOUNDATION 6

COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH 8

POLICY & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS 11

COMMITTEES & PARTNERSHIPS 15

MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS 20

MISSION & CONTACT INFORMATION 23

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Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives — the theme of this year’s annual report and annual meeting in

Whitefish, Montana — was chosen because state foresters understand support for our work

doesn’t happen without making the connection between trees and people abundantly clear.

In 2018, NASF and its members worked hard to highlight the benefits state forestry agencies

provide for both trees and people, and it’s paid off.

NASF’s communications efforts are

helping those on Capitol Hill and beyond

better understand how state foresters add

societal value. Through refreshed branding

and a greater focus on original content and

strategic messaging, NASF is reaching new

and more influential audiences. Reporters

and our partners increasingly rely on our

members and staff as respected sources

of information, and NASF’s outreach

campaigns are growing awareness for

conservation, as well as the association’s

financial security.

NASF’s policy efforts have secured state

foresters a number of legislative wins in 2018. We now have a fix for wildfire

spending that will help to ensure future federal funding for non-wildfire

programs like the USDA Forest Service’s State and Private programs, which

provide tremendous value to state forestry agencies and 100s of 1,000s of

private landowners nationwide. NASF also helped to maintain or increase annual

appropriations funding for the federal programs state foresters utilize most.

To witness the hard work of NASF’s staff and the continued, meaningful

engagement of my colleagues this past year has been nothing short of inspirational. At a time

when the nation is in political flux and turnover in our offices is high, together we have managed

to provide effective and exemplary leadership within the forestry and wildland fire communities.

At the outset of my presidency, I asked my fellow state foresters to invest in their own

professional development and actively engage in leading NASF. State foresters answered that

call — especially those new to the rank by participating in our committees, working with partners,

speaking to federal and state legislators, and actively supporting each other by sharing their

knowledge and experiences. I commend and encourage our members’ continued investment in

this organization. I know from experience we can accomplish great things when we do.

George Geissler

Washington State Forester

NASF President, September 2017-2018

LETTER FROM NASF PRESIDENT GEORGE GEISSLER

TOGETHER, THIS ASSOCIATION’S MEMBERSHIP AND STAFF HAVE AFFECTED ENORMOUS POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS.


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In this annual report, you’ll find a highlight

reel of the many tangible deliverables

this association worked so diligently to

accomplish in 2018. It shows how we helped

our members take action and achieve real

outcomes. And it illustrates how far passion

and hard work for a good cause can take us.

State-defined Forest Action Plans have guided our work as a national association

this year, just as they have our members and their work. Through coalitions,

regular Capitol Hill visits, late night phone calls, and last-minute press releases,

the association successfully advanced recognition of these Forest Action Plans in

federal legislation throughout 2018, namely in what we hope will become the final

2018 farm bill.

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 appropriations omnibus is further proof of the state

foresters’ exceptional success advocating on Capitol Hill the last twelve months.

Through our sustained efforts and the trust of key lawmakers, the final version of

this spending legislation maintained or increased funding for all the federal programs most

important to state foresters.

In another major win for NASF and the entire forestry community, Congress passed a wildfire

funding fix. NASF’s work behind the scenes has been widely recognized as instrumental in

achieving this hard-fought bipartisan solution… and the timing couldn’t be better. This year

proved “fire season” has been replaced with “fire year,” and state forestry agencies are an

essential and effective part of the nation’s disaster response capability.

NASF was honored to have USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue meet with state foresters several

times during the year to discuss our priorities. We know that continuing to find and take

advantage of opportunities to strengthen communication with our federal partners will pay

dividends to our members, just like our advocacy for Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) has.

With GNA, state forestry agencies have shown the terrific value they have as partners, all while

improving the health and productivity of our nation’s forests.

Few forestry or conservation organizations can rival NASF’s membership, made up of highly

trained professionals with local knowledge, trusted in every state and U.S. territory. Our team

is incredibly proud to serve these dedicated professionals and will look forward to continuing

our work on their behalf in 2019.

Jay Farrell

Executive Director

National Association of State Foresters

LETTER FROM NASF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JAY FARRELL

2018 HAS BEEN ONE OF THE ASSOCIATION’S MOST SUCCESSFUL YEARS TO DATE.


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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

• President: George Geissler• Vice President: Lisa Allen• Treasurer: Greg Josten • Past President: Bill Crapser• Chair, Council of Western State Foresters: Mike Lester• Chair, Southern Group of State Foresters: Joe Fox • President, Northeastern Area Association of State Foresters: Brad Simpkins

NASF COMMITTEE CHAIRS

• Forest Markets: Scott Bissette • Forest Resources Management: Joe Fox• Forest Science & Health: Chris Martin• Urban & Community Forestry: Steve Sinclair• Wildland Fire: Jim Karels

STATE FORESTER LIASIONS

• Communications Team: Chris Maisch • Policy Team: Bill Crapser, formerly Bettina Ring

MEMBERS

• Alabama: Rick Oates• Alaska: Chris Maisch

• Arizona: Jeff Whitney• Arkansas: Joe Fox• California: Ken Pimlott • Colorado: Mike Lester• Connecticut: Christopher Martin• Delaware: Michael Valenti• District of Columbia: Earl Eutsler• Florida: Jim Karels• Georgia: Chuck Williams • Hawaii: David Smith• Idaho: David Groeschl• Illinois: Tom Wilson• Indiana: John Seifert• Iowa: Jeff Goerndt• Kansas: Larry Biles• Kentucky: James Wright• Louisiana: Wade Dubea• Maine: Doug Denico• Maryland: Donald VanHassent• Massachusetts: Peter Church• Michigan: Debbie Begalle • Minnesota: Forrest Boe• Mississippi: Charlie Morgan• Missouri: Lisa Allen• Montana: Sonya Germann • Nebraska: John Erixson • Nevada: Kacey KC• New Hampshire: Brad Simpkins• New Jersey: John Sacco• New Mexico: Donald Griego • New York: Robert Davies• North Carolina: Scott Bissette

• North Dakota: Larry Kotchman• Ohio: Robert Boyles • Oklahoma: Mark Goeller • Oregon: Peter Daugherty • Pennsylvania: Ellen Shultzabarger• Rhode Island: Tee Jay Boudreau• South Carolina: Scott Phillips • South Dakota: Greg Josten • Tennessee: David Arnold • Texas: Tom Boggus • Utah: Brian Cottam• Vermont: Steve Sinclair• Virginia: Rob Farrell • Washington: George Geissler • West Virginia: Barry Cook• Wisconsin: Fred Souba, Jr.• Wyoming: Bill Crapser

United States Territories• American Samoa: Denis Sene, Jr. (Acting)• Fed. States of Micronesia: Marlyter Silbanuz• Guam: Joseph Mafnas• Northern Mariana Islands: Victor Guerrero, Jr.• Palau: Pua Michael• Puerto Rico: Alberto Mercado Vargas• Rep. of The Marshall Islands: Lajkit Rufus • Virgin Islands: Carlos Robles

Current as of August 15, 2018

MEET OUR MEMBERS


CHAIRRANDY DYE Former State Forester of West Virginia

VICE CHAIR FOR INVESTMENTSMICHAEL BUCKFormer State Forester of Hawaii SECRETARY/TREASURERCHRISTOPHER MARTINState Forester of Connecticut CHAIR OF AUDITSLARRY KOTCHMANState Forester of North Dakota

FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS FORREST BOE State Forester of Minnesota

STEVEN SCOTT Former State Forester of Tennessee

JEFF WHITNEY State Forester of Arizona

GENE KODAMAFormer State Forester of South Carolina

CARA BOUCHERFormer State Forester of Michigan

TOM BOGGUSState Forester of Texas

GEORGE GEISSLERState Forester of Washington

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE FORESTERS FOUNDATION IS A

NONPROFIT 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION THAT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1983 BY

STATE FORESTERS. PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE FOUNDATION RECOGNIZE

STATE FORESTRY AGENCIES’ EFFORTS TO CONSERVE, PROTECT, AND

ENHANCE AMERICA’S FORESTS AND TREES.

NASF FOUNDATION


DEVELOPING STATE FORESTRY LEADERS

The NASF Foundation, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, offers a fellowship for state foresters or senior state forestry agency staff to attend Harvard University’s Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government. The John F. Kennedy School of Government fellowship focuses on refining skills related to leadership, strategy, crisis management, financial stewardship, and more. Bob Atchison with the Kansas Forest Service and Josh Van Vlack with the Wyoming State Forestry Commission were the 2018 NASF Foundation Harvard fellows.

The NASF Foundation Board highly encourages state foresters or qualified staff to take advantage of this opportunity. For a copy of the 2019 application, please contact NASF staff at [email protected].

GENERATING INTEREST AND INVESTMENT IN FORESTRY

In 2018, the foundation supported NASF’s outreach strategy and its growing educational materials program with a generous grant. To purchase Smokey Bear, My Tree—Our Forest®, and other forestry-themed items as gifts, giveaways, or aids for the classroom, visit: www.stateforesters.org/store.

TRAINING YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

The NASF Foundation’s James Hubbard Internship for Policy and Communications program gives college-aged candidates the opportunity to engage in policy and communications at the national level on behalf of state and private forestry. This year’s interns were Zoe Bommarito, Kiera Quigley, and Kiersten Ahrns.


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NASF boosted the relevance of NASF’s policy positions and the reputation of

state foresters in Washington, D.C., with sustained and strategic messaging

throughout 2018.

COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH


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BOOSTING CONTENT AND REFINING MESSAGING

In 2018, NASF nearly doubled the number of press releases and original blog posts it published over the last year. This uptick in output can be attributed to an increased emphasis on using the association’s communications efforts to bolster its policy initiatives.

NASF also increased its following and engagement across its social media platforms by promoting more state forestry agency news and sharing more original content with branded infographics and state-sourced imagery.

The association’s weekly newsletter has an updated format that has garnered more than 400 new subscribers in the last year. Now, each of the items highlighted in the newsletter are accompanied by a-sentence-or-two-long “tease” that provides readers with easy to digest “cliff notes” on the week’s forestry, tree, and wildland fire news.

As in years past, NASF articles were published on a quarterly basis in the National Woodland Owners Association Magazine, which reaches more than 12,000 readers with each issue. The association and its members were also spotlighted on cable television and radio and quoted extensively in Beltway publications like E&E News, as well as by national outlets, namely the Associated Press and National Public Radio.

REFRESHING BRAND AND BUILDING ONLINE PRESENCE

By year’s end, the association will launch a new website with an updated look and feel. The primary focus in the redevelopment of the site continues to be maximizing the user’s experience. The new website will be easy to navigate and more focused on state forester policy positions. In the meantime, NASF has worked hard to update and streamline existing content on www.stateforesters.org and re-upped important security updates inexpensively.

NASF issued a complete suite of new one-pagers on its website in March 2018. These one-pagers (also called leave-behinds or briefers) detail the importance of federal cooperative forestry programs with updated information and a cleaner, more professional look. Additionally, the association published a new and improved member toolkit, complete with all the association’s member contacts, and established new branding and style guidelines.

NASF also launched www.TimberAssurance.org — an online clearinghouse for national and state regulations that affect the management of U.S. forests and help to demonstrate the sustainable nature in which U.S. timber is harvested. This addition to the association’s website includes a clickable map of the United States that users can use to locate state-specific best management practices and Forest Action Plans. Since its launch in February 2018, nearly 3,000 people have visited the site.

NASF BY THE NUMBERS* Facebook: 7,230+ Likes

Twitter: 8,665+ Followers

LinkedIn: 215+ Followers

Instagram: 469+ Followers

Weekly Newsletter: 2,750+ subscribers

*CURRENT AS OF AUGUST 12, 2018

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PREVENTING UNPLANNED AND UNWANTED WILDFIRES WITH SMOKEY BEAR

The Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign is administered by the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention (CFFP) committee, a partnership among NASF, the USDA Forest Service, and the Ad Council. State Foresters Tom Boggus of Texas, Brad Simpkins of New Hampshire, and Jeff Whitney of Arizona served as the NASF representatives on the CFFP committee in 2018.

In August, NASF helped Smokey Bear celebrate 74 years of his wildfire prevention program on its blog and social media channels and in coordination with its CFFP partners. NASF is now gearing up to launch an interactive events website to help folks locate Smokey Bear 75th birthday celebrations. The site — www.SmokeyBear75th.org — will host state forestry agency event submissions and be launched in conjunction with eight new Smokey Bear 75th products for purchase in NASF’s store in late 2018.

Also in 2018, the CFFP committee met in person to evaluate and select the recipients of this year’s prestigious Smokey Bear awards — the national awards program that recognizes outstanding service in the prevention of human-caused wildfires. For more information and a list of awardees, please visit www.smokeybear.com/awards.

PRIORITIZING STATE FORESTRY AGENCIES AND STATE FOREST ACTION PLANS

NASF created member value for state forestry agencies by providing them with guides for writing press releases, giving interviews, and building relationships with members of the media. The association also granted a dozen forestry agency communicators access to NASF’s Meltwater account, a news aggregating service.

Additionally, the association attended four regional communications meetings in 2018, initiated regular communications with the agencies’ public affairs and fire prevention leads, and began planning for a national communications network designed to meet the specific needs of state and regional forestry agencies.

The NASF communications director gave several presentations this year at NASF-hosted and partner meetings, including a webinar on how to use social media to communicate the 10-year revision process for state Forest Action Plans. A media toolkit to accompany NASF resources on the 10-year revision process is forthcoming and expected to be released before year’s end.

Earlier this year, NASF led two educational communications campaigns: the first highlighting the importance of a wildfire funding fix and the second celebrating the 40-year anniversary of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act. Through the end of the year, NASF will continue to contribute to the popular #HealthyTreesHealthyLives social media campaign.

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POLICY & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS At the outset of 2018, NASF’s Executive Committee established six policy

priorities for the association. NASF successfully advanced all six of these goals

and achieved major legislative wins.


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SUPPORTING APPROPRIATIONS OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE TO STATE FORESTERS

NASF actively supports the USDA Forest Service’s suite of State and Private Forestry programs, which include: Forest Stewardship, Forest Health, Forest Legacy, State Fire Assistance, Volunteer Fire Assistance, Urban and Community Forestry, and Forest Inventory and Analysis.

The Trump administration proposed a significant reduction in the aforementioned programs, including “zeroing out” several of them, earlier this year. In response, NASF:

l Visited personally with more than 50 federal lawmakers, their staffs, and key committee staff members to discuss the importance of cooperative forestry work.

l Developed or signed onto six different coalition letters to Congress advocating for appropriation levels recommended by the NASF Executive Committee.

l Provided testimony to both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on NASF’s recommended appropriations levels.

l Hosted a briefing for more than a dozen key congressional staffers on Capitol Hill in which State Foresters Chris Martin of Connecticut, Lisa Allen of Missouri, and Joe Fox of Arkansas presented on the current health threats facing America’s forests.

l Held a field tour for congressional and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) staff. State Foresters Don VanHassent of Maryland, Ken Pimlott of California, and Jim Karels of Florida that illustrated the tangible benefits of USDA’s Forest Service State and Private Forestry programs.

l Worked to affect funding levels with key partners, including the Society of American Foresters, The Nature Conservancy, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Volunteer Firefighter Council, the National Governors Association, American Forests, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, and the American Forest Foundation.

Despite federal budgetary constraints, funding for each of the programs most essential to NASF’s mission was maintained or increased in FY 2018.

Through special briefings and key meetings, state foresters have established relationships with key decision makers at OMB and in Congress that the association anticipates will yield positive results in future budget cycles. NASF’s FY 2019 appropriations recommendations are available on the association’s website.

NASF also advocated for the inclusion of a provision in the 2018 farm bill that would authorize additional funding for cross-boundary hazardous fuels work on state and private lands. The association expects this provision will be made into law and enable more capacity for this essential work.

NASF PRIORITY PROGRAM IN MILLIONS

FY 2016 ENACTED

FY 2017 ENACTED

FY 2018 ENACTED

FY 2019 ADMIN PROPOSED

FY 2019 HOUSE INTERIOR APPROPS

FY 2019 SENATE APPROPS

FY 2019 NASF RECOM.

LANDSCAPE SCALE RESTORATION $14.00 $14.00 $14.00 $0.00 $10.00 $14.00 $23.00

FOREST HEALTH ON COOPERATIVE LANDS

$40.68 $39.00 $41.00 $34.40 $51.00 $41.00 $48.00

FOREST STEWARDSHIP $23.04 $20.05 $20.50 $19.50 $20.50 $20.50 $29.00

FOREST LEGACY $62.35 $62.35 $67.00 $0.00 $48.45 $65.49 $62.00

URBAN & COMMUNITY FORESTRY $28.04 $28.04 $28.50 $0.00 $30.00 $28.50 $31.00

FOREST INVENTORY & ANALYSIS

$75.00 $77.00 $77.00 $75.00 $77.00 $77.00 $83.00

STATE FIRE ASSISTANCE $78.00 $78.00 $80.00 $65.90 $80.00 $80.00 $87.00

VOLUNTEER FIRE ASSISTANCE $13.00 $15.00 $16.00 $11.00 $18.00 $16.00 $16.00


SUPPORTING THE ENACTMENT OF A WILDFIRE FUNDING FIX AND FORESTRY REFORMS

NASF and its partners influenced language for the FY 2018 appropriations omnibus that ultimately became law. In addition to a set of meaningful federal forest management reforms and other state forester priorities, this piece of legislation included a “wildfire funding fix” that will halt borrowing from non-fire program budgets to cover wildfire suppression costs.

A better, more sustainable way for the federal government to pay for wildfire suppression had been sorely needed for nearly a decade. The wildfire funding fix was a major legislative win that NASF is hopeful will help protect support for the Forest Service’s State and Private Forestry programs.

ENCOURAGING MORE ACTIVE MANAGEMENT OF FEDERAL FORESTS

NASF advocated for a number of provisions that were ultimately included in the FY 2018 appropriations omnibus, including an expansion of Good Neighbor Authority, a new categorical exclusion for forests at high risk of catastrophic wildfire, new 20-year stewardship contracts, and a Cottonwood lawsuit fix.

NASF also advocated for additional forest management provisions in the 2018 farm bill. Both the House and Senate versions of the bill included provisions that would encourage more active federal forest management.

UTILIZING FOREST ACTION PLANS AS THE BASIS FOR PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION ACROSS ALL LAND OWNERSHIPS

NASF helped develop language for the “Empowering State Forestry to Improve Forest Health Act” (S. 962), a bill sponsored by Senators Steve Daines of Montana and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota that sought to codify the Landscape Scale Restoration

(LSR) program and recognize state Forest Action Plans as guides for spending federal resources. The bipartisan bill passed as part of the House’s version of the 2018 farm bill and will be an important part of conference discussions.

The association has also been working with USDA leadership to institutionalize the use of state Forest Action Plans by the department’s agencies. You can learn more about Forest Action Plans at www.forestactionplans.org.

PROVIDING LEADERSHIP AND INFLUENCE FOR THE 2018 FARM BILL

As co-leader of the Forests in the Farm Bill (FIFB) coalition, NASF helped develop and advocate for the group’s 2018 farm bill platform, supported by more than 90 organizations. The association put forth its own strategic platform for the 2018 farm bill as well. Both the Senate and House versions of the 2018 farm bill include many elements of both platforms. For a breakdown of which NASF recommendations were included, visit NASF’s newsroom.

INFLUENCING AND ASSISTING THE ADMINISTRATION TRANSITION

NASF sent several letters to Congress in support of James Hubbard, then nominated and now confirmed

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as USDA undersecretary of Natural Resources and Environment. At his Senate confirmation hearing, Hubbard said that in order for the Forest Service to be successful in wildfire suppression, hazardous fuels work, community forestry, and addressing insect and disease challenges, it must partner with state forestry agencies.

The NASF Executive Committee and the association’s staff met with the Trump administration’s USDA transition team and Secretary Sonny Perdue on several occasions throughout 2018. In September 2017, Perdue addressed state foresters at the association’s annual meeting in West Virginia.

In August 2018, NASF President and Washington State Forester George Geissler spoke at a Capitol Hill press conference held by Perdue in honor of the USDA’s newly released wildfire and forest management strategy. Forest Service Interim Chief Vicki Christiansen joined the conference, as did Senators Maria Cantwell of Washington, Ron Wyden of Oregon, Steve Daines of Montana, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

In the strategy, the Forest Service commits to using state Forest Action Plans as guides for hazardous fuels management and to working with the states to utilize new and emerging technologies for preventing, detecting, and suppressing wildfires more quickly and safely.

State best management practices

(BMPs) for timber harvesting are

effectively protecting water quality.

Monitoring shows that BMP IMPLEMENTATION RATES AVERAGE 91 PERCENT

nationwide.

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State and territorial foresters provide leadership to the association through

committees. Participating in and/or leading committees gives NASF members

opportunities to focus their expertise on targeted forestry issues, influence national

policy positions, and build meaningful partnerships with like-minded organizations.

COMMITTEES & PARTNERSHIPS


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WILDLAND FIRE COMMITTEE

COMMITTEE CHAIR: JIM KARELS

COMMITTEE STAFF: DAN SMITH

In 2018, the Wildland Fire Committee (WFC) worked to maintain the funding allocation criteria for the State Fire Assistance (SFA) and Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) programs, in turn ensuring a transparent budgeting process and a stable funding source for the programs through FY 2018. WFC also advised the NASF policy and communications directors on several letters NASF sent to Congress in support of SFA and VFA and the Joint Fire Science Program.

In an effort to underscore state forestry agencies’ contributions to the national wildfire suppression effort, WFC surveyed NASF’s members and determined that the states’ total wildfire suppression costs in 2017 exceeded $1.4 billion. Plans are underway for the committee to capture additional information on the collective capabilities of states, including state personnel, aircraft, and equipment resources.

The committee met with regional State Fire Chiefs, Fire Managers, and Forest Fire Supervisors (CMS) this February in Prescott, Arizona, to address key

national wildfire management issues, and again on its own in Napa, California, in June. Legislation to address potential liability issues while mobilizing resources for some of the interstate forest fire compacts has been prepared, approved by NASF, and negotiations are currently ongoing for sponsorship. NASF also approved and published an updated Guiding Principles: Best Practices for National Guard Resources.

In partnership with the Coalition of Prescribed Fire Councils, WFC completed the 2018 National Prescribed Fire Survey, an unparalleled effort supported by all 50 states. Maintaining a national-scale record of prescribed fire activity and challenges related to implementation has been, and will continue to be, critically important. The previous surveys in 2012 and 2015 have been used widely among the fire community and policymakers, as well as cited by researchers.

Through the end of the year, WFC will be working with state forestry agencies to: (1) develop a Fire District Response Boundary spatial layer, (2) integrate with IROC IQS (Interagency Resource Ordering Capability Incident Qualifications System) and compact ordering, and (3) track landscape fuels and risk as required by NASF’s performance measures.


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URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY COMMITTEE

COMMITTEE CHAIR: STEVE SINCLAIR

COMMITTEE STAFF: CARA BOUCHER

In 2018, the Urban and Community Forestry Committee (UCFC) focused its efforts on promoting the connection between human health and trees. With the leadership of state and territorial forestry agencies, a successful campaign was born.

The #HealthyTreesHealthyLives campaign started in 2017 with the Southern Group of State Foresters, and in the last year, has gained traction nationwide through NASF’s promotion and the partnership of the western and northeastern regional state forester organizations.

#HealthyTreesHealthyLives now has a website that makes finding scientific support for the connections between human health and trees a cinch. And due to the tremendous following the campaign has generated on social media (10s of 1,000s of impressions each month!), Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives was chosen as the theme for NASF’s 2018 Annual Meeting in Whitefish, Montana.

In addition to partnering with Green Cities: Good Health, Park Rx, and the new Vibrant Cities Lab this year, UCFC collaborated with the Arbor Day Foundation to recognize hospitals and other health care facilities that are using exposure to trees as part of their patient treatment plans. The intent of the recognition program is to highlight high-quality projects and promote partnerships between medical facilities and community forestry networks.

At the 2017 Partners in Community Forestry Conference, the state forestry agencies’ urban and community forestry coordinators received a video “thank you” from the Arbor Day Foundation, USDA Forest Service, and NASF for bringing people and trees together. UCFC also held its own meeting in Philadelphia this June. A summary of the business items addressed and the meeting’s guided city tour is available on NASF’s blog.

FOREST MARKETS COMMITTEE

COMMITTEE CHAIR: SCOTT BISSETTE

COMMITTEE STAFF: RICK CANTRELL

In 2018, the Forest Markets Committee (FMC) continued its work with the Wood Products Alliance, the “Keeping Forests as Forests Initiative” with the Forest Markets Working Group, and the Forests

in the Farm Bill Coalition to ensure greater market access for key forest products. The committee also:

l Worked closely with the Mass Timber Coalition to secure passage of new code language developed by the International Code Council’s (ICC) Ad Hoc Committee on Tall Wood Buildings (TWB) that will be proposed to ICC to allow for taller wood buildings.

l Provided technical support to NASF’s policy and communications teams regarding the Timber Innovation Act. If made into law (the proposed

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legislation language was included in the House version of the 2018 farm bill), it would establish a research and development program for tall wood building construction, as well as authorize a long list of USDA incentives for mass timber applications.

l Published a free weekly newsletter, Forest Markets News, highlighting forest markets opportunities and challenges, working forests and their contributions to society, and new technology that can lead to new markets for wood products.

Committee staff Rick Cantrell also served as a proposal reviewer for the 2018 Wood Innovation Grants. USDA awarded almost $8 million to 20 states to expand and accelerate wood energy and other wood product markets in 2018. With leveraged investments from partners, the total 2018 investment in this program was over $21 million.

FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

COMMITTEE CHAIR: JOE FOX

COMMITTEE STAFF: MARVIN BROWN

This year, the Forest Resources Management Committee (FRMC) provided expertise to NASF’s policy and communications teams regarding the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers’ interpretation of the Clean Water Act’s definition of jurisdictional waters. Relying on the committee’s insights, NASF developed and submitted comments. In a similar fashion, FRMC will provide expert insight to NASF on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act.

In the winter, FRMC asked each state forestry agency to report on their experience with and/or use of Good

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Neighbor Authority (GNA). The results of this survey are being synthesized into short case studies that will later be featured in an NASF report and on an ARC GIS map hosted on the USDA Forest Service’s website. FRMC also contributed to research supporting an expansion of GNA projects — specifically, an added allowance for the creation and restoration of necessary forest access roads — that Congress included in the FY 2018 appropriations omnibus.

FRMC is currently working to inform a move within the USDA Forest Service to modernize the Forest Stewardship Program. The committee has also been tracking proposed changes to the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) requirements for stewardship plans, which qualify many forest landowners for NRCS cost-share programs. FRMC staff member Marvin Brown continues to serve as the NASF liaison to the Joint Forestry Team.

FRMC met jointly with members of the Forest Markets Committee in South Carolina this July to review emerging markets for wood and finalize a jointly prepared NASF position paper emphasizing the positive impact these markets have on forest management. A summary of their meeting is available on NASF’s blog.

FOREST SCIENCE & HEALTH COMMITTEE

COMMITTEE CHAIR: CHRISTOPHER MARTIN

COMMITTEE STAFF: BOB SIMPSON

In February 2018, the Forest Science and Health

Committee (FSHC) surveyed NASF members to determine the effects the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s proposed deregulation of the emerald ash borer would have on state forestry agencies. With this member feedback, NASF will craft and submit comments.

Later that month, with the help of a USDA Forest Service Cooperative Forestry grant, NASF launched www.TimberAssurance.org — an online clearinghouse for national and state regulations that affect the management of U.S. forests and help to demonstrate the sustainable nature in which U.S. timber is harvested. FSHC presented TimberAssurance.org at the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in New Guinea in August 2018 as a model for other APEC members.

The FSHC hosted its annual Partners and Stakeholders Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin, this year. The two-day meeting brought state foresters together with key stakeholders and partners to share information and enhance partnerships. Shortly after, FSHC presented at the annual Forest Inventory and Analysis Users Group Meeting hosted by the Society of American Foresters and the USDA Forest Service Research and Development.

In June, the chairman of FSHC, Chris Martin, attended the Food and Agriculture Organization’s Committee on Forestry summit in Rome, where he provided a strong voice in support of U.S. family and private forestland owners and increased funding for boreal forest protections.

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NASF is a non-profit, member-driven organization that promotes the role of the nation’s 59 state and territorial foresters in managing and protecting the nation’s forest resources. We are the principal advocate for dedicated federal investment in state and private forestry activities among policymakers and a key provider of education and outreach to the public.

MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS

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STRIVING TO DELIVER EXCEPTIONAL VALUE TO MEMBERS

NASF is the only organization that speaks with one clear national voice for all state foresters—and we’re strong in the eyes of Congress, federal agencies, policymakers, and influential non-governmental organizations because of it. NASF builds broad support for state foresters through strategically focused policy, leveraging key partnerships, effective communications, and robust education efforts.

At its core, NASF is a member-driven organization. All of NASF activities are guided by a strategic plan approved by its members, and in turn, all the resources invested by its members are targeted to meet member needs.

ANNUAL MEETING

The NASF Annual Meeting ties together all the elements of the association’s strategic plan in a signature event for state foresters and their supporters. Delivering a successful meeting each year requires a strong partnership with the hosting state forestry agency; and NASF is grateful to the Montana, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania state foresters and their teams for volunteering to host the 2018, 2019, and 2020 NASF Annual Meetings, respectively.

NASF honors excellence in state and private forestry and generates media attention through its

participation in several recognition programs. At the 2018 NASF Annual Meeting in Whitefish, Montana, NASF will once again launch the nomination period for the 2019 Wildfire Mitigation Awards, an annual program the association co-sponsors with the USDA Forest Service, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the National Fire Protection Association. The list of the 2018 awardees can found at www.stateforesters.org/mitigation.

The NASF Awards Committee will also present the association’s current and lifetime achievement awards to eight highly deserving individuals in Whitefish. A press release announcing this year’s winners will be published in NASF’s online newsroom.

NASF resolutions, which are voted on at annual meetings, are the strongest public statements state foresters can make. Policymakers pay attention to these consensus positions and there is clear evidence that NASF resolutions are helping influence public policy. Learn more about NASF resolutions at www.stateforesters.org.

STAFFING CHANGES A world-class staff team manages the day-to-day operations of NASF. This fiscal year, NASF welcomed Whitney Forman-Cook as its new communications director in December 2017, Rafael Chapman as its new finance and administration director in June 2018, and Robyn Whitney as its new policy

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FY 2017 NASF FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT

SCHEDULE OF FINANCIAL POSITIONYear Ending September 30, 2017

TOTAL ASSETS $1,790,813

TOTAL LIABILITIES $345,339

TOTAL NET ASSETS $1,445,474

TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS $1,790,813

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES Year Ending September 30, 2017

REVENUE Grants $2,107,063

Membership Dues 469,790

Educational Materials 278,236

Program Meetings 110,375

NASF Foundation 64,194

Other Income 310

TOTAL REVENUE $3,029,968

EXPENSES Forestry Program $2,257,918

NASF Educational Materials 220,749

Program Meetings 169,651

General & Administration 217,517

TOTAL EXPENSES $2,865,835

EXPENSES BY FUNCTIONAL AREAYear Ending September 30, 2017

General and Administration 7%

Program Meetings 6%

NASF Educational Materials 8%

Forestry Program 79%

director in August 2018. The organization is eternally grateful for the tremendous work their predecessors Amanda Cooke, LouAnn Gilmer, and Gary Schiff contributed over their NASF tenures, respectively.

Teamwork and a strong customer service ethic are ingrained in the culture of NASF and its allied regional organizations — the Council of Western State Foresters, the Northeastern Area Association of State

Foresters, and the Southern Group of State Foresters. And our staff routinely reaches across organizational boundaries to deliver results. The NASF and state forester regional organizations met in Baltimore this year for a staff retreat and held joint meetings and calls on a regular basis. NASF’s committee staff supported our shared work at all levels.

SUPPORT AND REVENUE SOURCESYear Ending September 30, 2017

Member Dues 15%

Meetings 4% NASF Foundation 2%

Educational Materials 9%

Grants 70%


STAFFEXECUTIVE DIRECTORJay [email protected]

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR Rafael Chapman [email protected]

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Whitney Forman-Cook [email protected]

POLICY DIRECTORRobyn Whitney [email protected] FISCAL SPECIALIST Olivia [email protected]

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Tonya [email protected]

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF FIRE TECHNOLOGYKeith Smith [email protected]

COMMITTEE SUPPORTWILDLAND FIREDaniel E. Smith [email protected]

FOREST SCIENCE AND HEALTHBob Simpson [email protected]

FOREST RESOURCE MANAGEMENTMarvin Brown [email protected]

URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRYCara Boucher [email protected]

FOREST MARKETSRick [email protected]

OUR MISSIONTHE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE FORESTERS REPRESENTS STATE AND TERRITORIAL FORESTER INTERESTS BY INFLUENCING FOREST POLICY AND LEADING EFFORTS TO OPTIMIZE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF TREES AND FORESTS.

OUR VISIONNASF AND ITS MEMBERS ARE THE TRUSTED AND CREDIBLE SOURCE FOR ENSURING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF TREES AND FORESTS — AND ALL THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS THEY PROVIDE — FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

CONTACT INFORMATIONNational Association of State Foresters

444 North Capitol Street, NW

Suite 540

Washington, DC 20001

202-624-5415

www.stateforesters.org


SOCIAL MEDIA: @stateforesters

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N AT I O N A L A S S O C I AT I O N O F S TAT E F O R E S T E R S

ANNUALLY, STATE FORESTRY AGENCIES:n Offer more than 222,000 TECHNICAL ASSISTS

to forest landowners;

n Train nearly 62,000 FIREFIGHTERS to protect 1.52 BILLION ACRES of land from wildfires;

n Provide technical urban and community forestry assistance to more than 8,830 COMMUNITIES;

n Employ more than 26,000 EMPLOYEES who work year round to conserve, protect and enhance America’s forests.

Photography on front cover by:Joel Prince/NASF

Josh Birnbaum/NASFGrace Mirzeler/NASF

SOURCE: INDUSTRY INSIGHTS / FISCAL YEAR 2016

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